Tag: piglet

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Special Specimen: skull deformity in a stillborn piglet

piglet with skull deformation

This little piggy was never going to make it to market, unfortunately.

Born without part of its skull and the brain or fluid protruding, it’s the only one we’ve ever seen here.  As far as we can tell everything else is completely normally developed, but you won’t really know until you perform a necropsy.

I have asked around for a name for this condition and if the Twitterverse sends one back to me I will post an update.  In the meantime,  if you would like to hear about these special specimens when they do pop up then join our What’s in Miss Vivi’s Freezer mailing list.

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No more rat dissections! The teacher and students loved Miss Piggy

female piglet reproductive system
superficial view of abdominal organs, abdominal cavity stillborn piglet at dissection connection
superficial view of abdominal organs, abdominal cavity stillborn piglet at dissection connection

Looks like it is the end of an era here at Chinchilla SHS. No more rat dissections!!!!!!!

The teacher and students loved Miss Piggy and we had other teachers coming in for a look. The Biology teacher declared it “Way Cool” and I am impressed with the lack of smell (unlike rats) and much easier to identify organs etc.

The teachers only concern was that we usually get pregnant rats but I feel we can show the reproductive systems better using uterus and testes specimens in conjunction with male and female piglets.

Thank you so much for the piglet I believe my teachers have seen the light and been converted. I know I have.

– Sheena Wolens, Chinchilla State High School